The Writing of Hadith in the Era of Prophet Muhammad: A Critique on Harun Nasution’s Thought

The discussion regarding the writing of hadith during the life of the Prophet is a contentious topic within the area of Islamic and hadith studies both in the West and in the Islamic world. Orientalists write their work on hadith with a presumption that hadith has never been written during the life of Prophet Muḥammad. They contend that hadith text only emerged in the third century of Hijrah, i.e. in the era of al-Bukhāri. A few others believe that it started in the era of Malik of the Umayyad. This orientalist’ mindset affects some Muslim intellectuals who accept this premise. One of them is Harun Nasution, a well respected great mind who wrote a book entitled Islam Ditinjau Dari Berbagai Aspeknya (Islam Viewed from Various Aspects). However, historical evidence demonstrates that the writing of hadith was carried out at the time when the Prophet was still alive. A number of sheets were discovered, which contain hadith text compilations narrated by the companions of the Prophet, such as the Ṣahīfah of ͑Ali bin Abi Ṭalib, Ṣahifah of Jābir bin ͑Abdillah, and others. Some scholars have misunderstood the message in a saying of the Prophet that prohibited the writing of hadith. They have ignored other hadith that negated the previous hadith by which the Prophet allowed the writing of hadith in his life time. Even though there are a number companions who did not write hadith in this period, it does not mean hadith were not allowed to be written, but it was due to their own preference not to write the hadith.[Perdebatan tentang penulisan hadits masa kehidupan Nabi tetap menjadi tema yang hangat dalam kajian keislaman dan kajian hadits, baik di barat maupun di dunia Islam sendiri. Beberapa orientalis berpendapat bahwa hadits tidak ditulis pada masa Nabi Muhammad. Mereka menyebutkan teks hadits mulai muncul abad ketiga hijriah, misalnya pada era Bukhari. Lainnya percaya bahwa teks hadits dimulai pada masa Malik al Umayyad. Perspektif seperti orientalis ini diterima oleh beberapa intelektual muslim Indonesia, salah satunya Harun Nasution yang menulis buku Islam ditinjau dari Berbagai Aspeknya. Bagaimanapun bukti sejarah menunjukkan penulisan hadits sudah dimulai ketika Nabi masih hidup. Sejumlah lembaran yang mengandung kompilasi teks hadits dari beberapa sahabat Nabi seperti, Ṣahīfah dari Ali bin Abi Ṭalib dan Ṣahifah dari Jābir bin ͑Abdillah. Sejumlah akademisi keliru dalam memahami pesan Nabi yang melarang menuliskan hadits. Mereka mengabaikan hadits yang menegasikan hadits sebelumnya yang membolehkan penulisan hadits selama hidup Nabi. Meskipun ada sejumlah sahabat yang melarangnya, namun ini bukan berarti hadits tidak diijinkan untuk ditulis, tetapi hal ini lebih terkait dengan masing-masing referensi untuk tidak menuliskannya.]

Engineer of the communication lines Mykola Pavlovych Petrov (1836–1920): factors for his scientific views’ formation

The article reviews the factors of the scientific views’ formation of Mykola Pavlovych Petrov – formidable Russian scientist and engineer in relation to his administrative efforts of development of the native scientific and technical community XIX–XX. The special focus was made on the biographical component, especially his study in Petersburg institutions. The crucial impact on the scientific destiny of M. P. Petrov was made by his studying in the Engineer Academy. In that time the intellectual basement for the future activities was formed. As a matter of fact, later M.P. Petrov became the formidable engineer and scientist. M. P. Petrov was the student of the formidable mathematician, academician of the Petersburg Academy of Science Mykhailo Vasylovych Ostrohradskyi (1801–1862). M. P. Petrov gained a lot of useful skills and knowledge from his teacher. Among those the following: high mathematical culture, abstract thinking, knowledge of the theoretical and practical problems in various areas of science, especially the ones that were related to railway transport. Work as the lecturer in the Technological Institute, communication with I. A. Vyshniehradskyi, A. P. Borodin and other scientists and specialists played a role of some kind of push for M. P. Petrov to study applied disciplines, mainly related to the friction of lubricated materials. Among the teachers of M. P. Petrov in the Academy was Herman Yehorovych Pauker (1822–1889). M. P. Petrov always recalled him as the wonderful engineer and teacher, who was the creator of the school for the engineers-teachers. The main goal of the school was the harmonious connection between engineer work and science. In the Academy M. P. Petrov met the lecturer of mechanics of the Institute of the communication paths engineer corps Stanislav Valerianovych Kerbedz. During the studying in the Academy M. P. Petrov was formed as the future scientist and specialist, who had the character which helped him to communicate easily with people. He had humane views and always acted alone and fairly. These features of his character in conjunction with his great mind helped him to achieve all his goals while solving the complicated engineer and administrative tasks. Aspiration to knowledge, original and brave thinking were among the main features of M. P. Petrov`s nature.

A számítógépes mélytanulási technológia várható megjelenése a hazai mammográfiában

Introduction and aim: The technology, named ‘deep learning’ is the promising result of the last two decades of development in computer science. It poses an unavoidable challenge for medicine, how to understand, apply and adopt the – today not fully explored – possibilities that have become available by these new methods. Method: It is a gift and a mission, since the exponentially growing volume of raw data (from imaging, laboratory, therapy diagnostics or therapy interactions, etc.) did not solve until now our wished and aimed goal to treat patients according to their personal status and setting or specific to their tumor and disease. Results: Currently, as a responsible health care provider and financier, we face the problem of supporting suboptimal procedures and protocols either at individual or at community level. The problem roots in the overwhelming amount of data and, at the same time, the lack of targeted information for treatment. We expect from the deep learning technology an aid which helps to reinforce and extend the human–human cooperations in patient–doctor visits. We expect that computers take over the tedious work allowing to revive the core of healing medicine: the insightful meeting and discussion between patients and medical experts. Conclusion: We should learn the revelational possibilities of deep learning techniques that can help to overcome our recognized finite capacities in data processing and integration. If we, doctors and health care providers or decision makers, are able to abandon our fears and prejudices, then we can utilize this new tool not only in imaging diagnostics but also for daily therapies (e.g., immune therapy). The paper aims to make a great mind to do this. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(4): 138–143.

Transboundary Haze: Islam Prohibits Destruction of Earth

Recurring episodes of transboundary haze have been similarly to an annual event in Malaysia since the 1980’s. Transboundary haze is typically haze caused by forest fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan, Indonesia which moves thousands of miles and encompasses neighboring regional countries. This is caused by human hands that continue to pursue unplanned development without taking into account the aspect of environmental sustainability. This study looks into and the understanding of recurring occurrences of transboundary haze in Sarawak. From the perspective of Islam, by making the Holy Quran as the absolute source of reference, God forbids the destruction of nature and calls upon mankind to do good not only to other humans and animals but also to the environment. Human beings are endowed with a great mind that can guide them to make and do the right thing, thus, various efforts need to be taken into consideration and be done collectively amongst the ASEAN countries in a joint effort towards reducing or preventing continuous episodes of transboundary haze within the region.

Spirit and Society

Blake’s religious dissent made him a natural ally for reformers whose works were driven by personal religious quest. This chapter looks at Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Transcendentalist reading of Blake, Lydia Maria Child’s reprinting of ‘The Little Black Boy’ in the context of Abolitionism, the appearance of several of the Poetical Sketches, and a commentary on The Little Vagabond in the context of social utopianism. It exposes the irony as well as the importance of the kinship liberal Americans felt with Blake. By the end of the century, Blake was becoming known in literary circles. Thomas Wentworth Higginson drew a comparison between Blake and Emily Dickinson in his introduction to the 1890 edition of the latter’s Poems and Amy Lowell turned to Blake as a master of poetic form, with a brilliant pictorial imagination and a sensitive ear, but most importantly, a great mind.